Help with Value and Year on a Model 41

[pinefd]

Hi all, I've been a member of the forum for a few years now, but this is my first time posting. The reason I'm posting is that I'm hoping to get some help on a few guns that I plan on selling. I'd like to find out the years built and the approximate value of these guns, so that I know what I have, and don't get ripped off when trying to sell these.

These three guns belonged to my dad, and he gave them to me in the years before he died. They've been in the family 30 - 50 years. I've got other guns of his that I plan on keeping, but these that I'm looking to sell don't hold any particular sentimental value, and are just sitting around gathering dust. Being in Massachusetts, where the gun laws are quite strict, I'll probably be selling these to a dealer because I don't want to deal with the hassles and legalities of selling privately.

Two of the three guns I'm hoping to sell are revolvers, so I'll be starting a thread or two about those in the proper section(s). Meanwhile, the gun I'm looking for information on that's pertinent to this section is as follows:

Model 41, .22 caliber semi-automatic target pistol; SN A1157XX (from 1970, I believe?); purchased by my dad in March of 1970, but I can't tell whether he bought it new or slightly used. It comes with the original box and paperwork, and appears to be in excellent condition. Here are a couple of pics, although the second one was taken before I cleaned it up properly, and shows some smudges that cleaned up nicely:

I can provide additional, more detailed photos if it will help.

Again, if you could confirm the year (1970) and give me an idea as to what I should be looking to sell this for (probably to a dealer), I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!


Frank

 

[Sevens]

According to my reference that serial number does indeed date the pistol to 1970.

I'll make a bold statement and say it as if I think it is FACT: if you take that pistol to a gun shop, you'll lose your shirt on it. If your two revolvers are in similar condition and with original boxes, same same same.

Gunbroker is a fine venue for you to get better value for these. Send me a PM through this site and I can offer more specific suggestions.

That 41 is beautiful!

 

[murphydog]

Welcome, and sorry for the loss of your father.

Do you have the original receipt from when it was purchased? I would hazard a guess that the retail price of a model 41 at that time was perhaps $250 (others here may have the exact figure). It may be tempting to accept more than what your father paid from a dealer - say $400-600 - without knowing the gun with original box, contents and extra magazines may sell for $1200 or more to a collector.

This is not a criticism of gun dealers, but they have profit margins and different priorities than a private buyer. Agree with doing some extra research about its value and how selling it on this site or via an auction might work. Good luck in your decision.

 

[pinefd]

According to my reference that serial number does indeed date the pistol to 1970.

I'll make a bold statement and say it as if I think it is FACT: if you take that pistol to a gun shop, you'll lose your shirt on it. If your two revolvers are in similar condition and with original boxes, same same same.

Gunbroker is a fine venue for you to get better value for these. Send me a PM through this site and I can offer more specific suggestions.

That 41 is beautiful!

Thanks for confirming the date for me. Much appreciated. I do realize that I'd lose my shirt by selling to a dealer, but I just frankly don't have a clue as to how to sell privately. I'm in Massachusetts, where the gun laws are pretty strict, and I know that private sales are highly regulated. I just wouldn't know where or how to begin to go about selling privately.

And yes, the two revolvers do come with original boxes and paperwork as well, and are actually in even better condition than the 41. I would describe their condition as being near mint. My dad used the 41 quite a bit, but he was meticulous about maintaining it. The two revolvers I'm selling were very rarely used.

I would love to be able to connect with someone who is also from MA, who may be able to give me some guidance on selling to a private party. And I'll try PMing you to see if you have any other suggestions for me...although I'm not sure whether there's a minimum number of posts required before the PM function will work for me.

Thanks again,

Frank

 

[pinefd]

Welcome, and sorry for the loss of your father.

Do you have the original receipt from when it was purchased? I would hazard a guess that the retail price of a model 41 at that time was perhaps $250 (others here may have the exact figure). It may be tempting to accept more than what your father paid from a dealer - say $400-600 - without knowing the gun with original box, contents and extra magazines may sell for $1200 or more to a collector.

This is not a criticism of gun dealers, but they have profit margins and different priorities than a private buyer. Agree with doing some extra research about its value and how selling it on this site or via an auction might work. Good luck in your decision.

Thanks for the kind words, Alan. Much appreciated.

As I mentioned in my response above, I will research some more as to how I might be able to go about selling privately versus through a dealer. I've been in business myself...unrelated to guns...so I know that dealers typically need to buy low, and then sell as high as they can. And thanks for the guesstimate on the value of the gun.

I'm not sure whether I have the original receipt for this gun or not, but if not, I may be able to dig up records of how much the gun originally cost. I do have the paperwork for all of these guns that was completed when they were originally purchased and registered in the state of MA. This paperwork shows the exact date of purchase and who my dad bought the guns from, but I don't believe it lists the selling price.

Thanks again,

Frank

 

[Troystat]

Nice model 41, retail these days one like yours with the box and extra magazines would sell for at least 1200.00 I would not hesitate to do the research to see how you can sell these via gun broker or some sort of private sale (legally of course) despite MA's laws. Good luck.

 

[graydog]

There has to be someone on here from Massachusetts that can walk you through it. I am sure it will be much easier to get them out of the state then bringing them in.

Just ask for help.

Graydog

 

[Sevens]

Extremely active poster TTSH is from Massachusetts. He doesn't sell much however!

 

[pinefd]

Extremely active poster TTSH is from Massachusetts. He doesn't sell much however!

Thanks for the tip! I'll be sure to look him up. In fact, this TTSH sounds a lot like me, only my primary obsession is with guitars...and muscle cars.


Frank

 

[Barrie]

I agree with around $1200. range for the M41 alone as thats in nice shape and has most of the original parts with it. I also agree with Gunbroker for your situation for all 3 guns. Your Dad had a great eye for Good guns.

 

[Gar L.]

Some gun shops will sell your gun on consignment. At least they do here in Michigan. They take about a 15% commission.

 

[pinefd]

I agree with around $1200. range for the M41 alone as thats in nice shape and has most of the original parts with it. I also agree with Gunbroker for your situation for all 3 guns. Your Dad had a great eye for Good guns.

Thanks for your input, Barrie!

Some gun shops will sell your gun on consignment. At least they do here in Michigan. They take about a 15% commission.

Yes, Gar, this is a definite consideration for me, thanks. I have other expensive hobbies, and this is probably my favorite way to sell, since it takes most of the hassle out of the selling process...at a cost, of course...but often times it's well worth it to me.


Frank

 

[cherrypointmarine]

First , I found one on Fl Gun Trader I am interested in . Just like yours , tools , all of it , same time frame . He has it listed as maybe unfired . He's asking $1100 , but it's a 5in heavy barrel . He has a model like yours , asking $1200 . I am going over Wednesday with cash in hand , buying one or the other . Just a thought , list them on here ? Then they could go FFL to FFL . But then , I am used to Fl laws which are more gun friendly .
Good Luck

 

[pinefd]

First , I found one on Fl Gun Trader I am interested in . Just like yours , tools , all of it , same time frame . He has it listed as maybe unfired . He's asking $1100 , but it's a 5in heavy barrel . He has a model like yours , asking $1200 . I am going over Wednesday with cash in hand , buying one or the other . Just a thought , list them on here ? Then they could go FFL to FFL . But then , I am used to Fl laws which are more gun friendly .
Good Luck

Great info, thanks! I'll be interested to see which one you end up with.


Frank

 

[Barrie]

Remember pics are a must on here Please.

 

[pinefd]

Remember pics are a must on here Please.

I assume this was directed to cherrypointmarine (since I put pics up at the top of the thread)?


Frank

 

[Barrie]

Yes it was directed at Cherrypointmarine. You posted excellent pics pinefd and Thank You for doing that as well.

 

[pinefd]

Yes it was directed at Cherrypointmarine. You posted excellent pics pinefd and Thank You for doing that as well.

Thanks, Barrie. I may be new to this forum, but I'm very active in a few others, and am known for not being too shy when it comes to posting photos. So, for the heck of it, I'll post a couple more unsolicited photos here. Here's another gun that I got from my dad that I definitely won't be selling:

This is a Model 52-1 that my dad was able to purchase new in '71, with the help of the then President of S&W, William Gunn. Here's a letter that my father received from Gunn (what a great name!) prior to receiving the gun:

Frank

 

[kidcom]

This is a Model 52-1 that my dad was able to purchase new in '71, with the help of the then President of S&W, William Gunn. Here's a letter that my father received from Gunn (what a great name!) prior to receiving the gun:

Frank

Now that's a fine looking Model 52-1. The fact that you have a special letter that goes with the 52-1 adds extra value to it.

 

[Revoman]

Frank,

I am from Western Mass. been on this forum for years. I would be able to give you any info you need about selling those.

I may even buy something. Do you have a Mass LTC?

Jay


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